Black Magic Czst: Black magic is a term that refers to the use of supernatural powers or occult practices to influence or harm others. It is considered to be a form of dark or evil magic, often associated with negative intentions and harmful consequences. Black magic is believed to involve the invocation of evil spirits, demons, or malevolent forces. The term "czst" is a slang term for curse, often used in online communities or discussions related to magic and witchcraft. It is commonly used to describe a curse or hex that is intended to cause harm or misfortune to someone. Black magic czsts are believed to be powerful and can have serious consequences for those who are targeted.
Recommended for mature MG and up.
Be forewarned that this novel contains significant deaths including murder , zombies vampires and other undead, grave-robbing, slavery, poaching, starvation, kidnapping, attempted forced child marriage, loss of parents, burning, petty thievery, bullying, beatings, betrayal, political maneuverings, a menagerie, and lots of bats. An executioner s apprentice, an embattled queen of shadows, and a royal hostage join forces toward a common goal-survival in a treacherous world of monsters and magic.
Black magic czsts are believed to be powerful and can have serious consequences for those who are targeted. They are often cast by individuals with knowledge and experience in witchcraft or occult practices. Various methods and rituals are used to perform black magic czsts, including the use of specific spells, potions, or talismans.
Review: Shadow Magic
Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan, illustrated by Ben Hibon.
Disney Hyperion, New York, 2016.
MG fantasy, 324 pages.
Lexile: 540L .
AR Level: 4.1 (worth 11.4 points) .
NOTE: First in a trilogy.
Thorn was just trying to find his outlaw father when he got caught by slavers and was sold to executioner Tyburn of House Shadow. Lilith Shadow was never supposed to rule Gehenna, but then her family was killed.
Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan, illustrated by Ben Hibon.
I picked this one up because of this review. Initially this series didn’t strike me as particularly diverse from reading the blurb, but the author’s commentary on the Middle Eastern inspiration as well as an #ownvoice Muslim reviewer’s thoughts quickly confirmed that this was a trilogy I wanted to read.
The white-guy-being a slave part made me nervous, but it was a small part of the overall story and not poorly done. I did also wish for the House of Shadow to have more skin tone variety, but some information about House Solar covered that to my satisfaction.
Khan invests heavily in three similarly-aged characters, but only two have viewpoints in this book, which was so smart. While K’leef is a main part of the trio and the plot, his motivations and actions ultimately have to be deduced, and the novel manages to be balanced. What I didn’t love, even though I understood it, is the whole arranged-child-marriage thing. Thankfully, Lilly was not afraid to repeatedly call out how ludicrous it was and exercise her own agency to change her situation (not always for the better).
Page 249 of Shadow Magic illustrates a dramatic moment in the book.The magic system is fairly complex, so a good deal of this first book had to go towards introducing readers to the workings of not just the magic, but also the political systems that work around the various types of magic. And also how daily life works in this world and how it is influenced by both politics and magic.
Khan does a good job of parceling out all this information without doing infodumps. He uses situations, like when Thorn angers the wrong noble and the other boys point out that he’s the outsider and they need to stay out of trouble. Of course, Thorn’s isolation combined with hidden heritage make him a good target for Lily’s friendship.
Lily finds that unexpected leadership comes with many more headaches and sorrows than desired. Her arc was all I could have desired, and I especially appreciated that Khan allowed her and Thorn (and K’leef) to be equal partners. Finding out that the character was inspired by Malala Yousafzai made so much sense.
The book is divided into three sections based on the location. Most is set at Castle Gloom, with the first and last sixth in another place. Chapters are kept short and the plot is always moving even when the characters are pinned down, to the very last page! Regular full page artwork is interspersed, which is mostly excellent with a few duds. Gehenna gets a full map with lots of interesting tidbits that don’t come in to this story, and I always appreciate that in a fantasy novel. This was still middle grade, but the plot was less MG-ish than most, which made it far more interesting to an adult fantasy fan.
Pages 128 and 129 of Shadow Magic show one of the full page illustrations as well as the flipbook bat in the upper right hand corner.
The interior pages made a little flipbook of a bat flying. The book as a whole had a interesting design and I appreciated that the letterer and cover designer got cover billing, even if they and the artist, were relegated to the back cover. It has a sturdy matte cover and acceptable pages and binding, which has me perplexed – Disney Hyperion is so inconsistent with paperback quality! I ended up buying a used softcover copy of this first book for expediency and cost efficiency, but maybe I’ll look at new for the others.
Be forewarned that this novel contains significant deaths including murder, zombies vampires and other undead, grave-robbing, slavery, poaching, starvation, kidnapping, attempted forced child marriage, loss of parents, burning, petty thievery, bullying, beatings, betrayal, political maneuverings, a menagerie, and lots of bats. That sounds really dark, doesn’t it? But it’s also a beautiful story about friendship and loyalty and accepting yourself no matter how strange, with serious-yet-campy goth trappings and lots of magic.
Yes, this had more death and gloom than I remember middle schoolers wanting in a fantasy novel. It’s not horror exactly, despite all the murders and zombies and so on. Those are all tied up in the magic and politics of this fantasy world. I think this would work well for kids who are into the School of Good and Evil series, or fans of Hoodoo. Simply because of said murders and horror trappings (plus very mild romance) I’d put this at the upper end of MG or a high-low read for teens.
Recommended for mature MG and up.
Be forewarned that this novel contains significant deaths including murder, zombies vampires and other undead, grave-robbing, slavery, poaching, starvation, kidnapping, attempted forced child marriage, loss of parents, burning, petty thievery, bullying, beatings, betrayal, political maneuverings, a menagerie, and lots of bats. That sounds really dark, doesn’t it? But it’s also a beautiful story about friendship and loyalty and accepting yourself no matter how strange, with serious-yet-campy goth trappings and lots of magic.
The effects of a black magic czst can range from simple misfortunes to severe physical or psychological harm. It is believed that the person who casts the czst gains control over the victim, causing them to suffer, experience bad luck, or even die. The effects of a black magic czst can be long-lasting and difficult to remove. Protective measures are often recommended to safeguard against black magic czsts. These measures can include the use of amulets, charms, or talismans believed to ward off evil spirits or negative energy. Some also suggest seeking the help of a spiritual healer or practicing certain rituals to counteract the effects of black magic. While black magic czsts may be a topic of fascination or intrigue for some, it is important to approach the subject with caution and respect. The belief in black magic and its effects is deeply rooted in many cultures and societies, and it is a subject that should not be taken lightly. Understanding and empathy towards those who believe in black magic czsts can help foster a respectful and inclusive conversation about this topic..
Reviews for "Black Magic in Pop Culture: From Bewitched to Harry Potter"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Black Magic Cast". The plot was weak and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The dialogue was cheesy and unrealistic, and the acting was subpar. Overall, it felt like a cheap and poorly executed attempt at a supernatural thriller. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this one.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "Black Magic Cast" was one of the worst movies I've seen in recent memory. The storyline was confusing and poorly developed, making it difficult to stay engaged. The special effects were laughably bad and the scares were anything but scary. The whole film felt like a lazy attempt to cash in on the popularity of supernatural movies, without putting any effort into the actual quality. I would strongly advise against watching this film.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Black Magic Cast", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was off, with slow and uninteresting moments outweighing the few suspenseful ones. The characters lacked depth and the dialogue was cliché. The plot had potential, but it was executed in a way that left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, "Black Magic Cast" was a forgettable attempt at a horror film.